This choice was made thanks to the world of Twitter. #BookClub140 from ‘Parker and Me’ (which was introduced to me by the lovely ‘Hayley From Home’) selected this as the February title ahead of a Twitter chat at the end of the month. Therefore, it grabbed the accolade of Book 6 in A Year of Books 2017.
‘A Boy Made of Blocks’ was a touching tale with a colourful collection of characters. They are all instantly likable and are all facing different adventures in life. At times each is facing a challenge, but as they do so it is also a journey of self-discovery. You root for each and every one of them as you follow them on their adventures, even if you do not always agree with the choices that they make. It is a real page-turner that can cause a roller coaster of emotions and occasionally catches you off-guard, as you realise that you may be shedding a tear or two. (Always a good look on a busy train on a Sunday afternoon).
The relationship between Alex and his son Sam (a boy made of blocks) blossoms beautifully throughout the book and shows that sometimes you have to be willing to embrace an adventure whatever form it may take. You may even make it through successfully and realise that you are braver and stronger than you think you are. It is a tale that really does make you hope for a happy ending (although you will have to read it yourself to see if that wish comes true).
If you enjoy titles like ‘About a Boy’ by Nick Hornby and ‘Man and Boy’ by Tony Parsons, then this is a book for you.
